Tuesday, May 21, 2013

21 May 1998 - Lilly Blooms

On 21 May 1998, Kristine Lilly became the world's most-capped female international, making her 152nd appearance for the US in a win over Japan.

A forward/midfielder, Lilly earned her first cap in 1987 when she was sixteen years old and became a regular fixture in the line-up by 1991, helping the US to win the first Women's World Cup. A third-place finish followed in 1995 before the team took gold at the 1996 Olympics.

In 1998, the team traveled to Kobe for a friendly against Japan. It was there that Lilly made her record 152nd appearance, passing the former record of 151 set by Norway's Heidi Støre the previous year. She went on to score the opening goal in the 36th minute as the US proceeded to win 2-0.

Lilly's international career lasted until 2010 and she retired with a total of 352 caps, the most of any player, male or female.